A
Hillsborough County deputy fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on
himself, according to Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

The shooting occurred around midnight
in the 17000 block of Terrazzo Way in Land O’ Lakes. Sheriff Nocco said there
were four children inside the home when the murder-suicide occurred, but were
not physically injured.

During a Monday morning press
conference, Nocco said the oldest child, a 14-year-old, called 911. He said
three children were upstairs but it doesn’t appear as though they witnessed the
shooting.

“Just pray for these kids,” he said
during a Monday morning press conference. “There’s four children trying put
their shattered lives – trying to figure out what just has happened to them
overnight. So, as people wake up, I just ask that you pray for those kids.”

He also said it was a Hillsborough
County deputy, who has since been identified as 39-year-old Kirk Keithley. His
wife was later identified as 33-year-old Samantha Keithley. The Hillsborough
County Sheriff's Office said Kirk was with the agency for 9 years, and three
months. He had worked with the St. Petersburg Police Department from 2003 to
2009.

The agency said he a short
disciplinary record, which include an avoidable traffic crash in 2011 and
misusing communications facilities in 2016. Sheriff Chad Chronister released
the following statement:

Unfortunately, last night, one of our
deputies was involved in a tragic event where he took his wife's life and then
his own. I cannot begin to express how disheartened I am. Domestic Violence has
no place in our society.

I ask that everyone join me and the
rest of our office and pray for those innocent children who are left behind and
have to pick up the pieces. This is something that is impossible to comprehend
for even the most seasoned person.

Please keep them in your hearts as we
all try to make our way through this tragedy.

We have made every resource within
our Employee Assistance programs available to any employee who may be
struggling. This remains an active Pasco County Sheriff's Office investigation.

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